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East Coast Alerts by Mel Neale June 21, 2012

By Tom Neale - Published June 21, 2012 - Viewed 1899 times

General Announcements

AICW to Close at Gilmerton Bridge:MARINERS ARE ADVISED THAT THERE WILL BE A FULL CHANNEL CLOSURE ON THE SOUTHERN BRANCH OF THE ELIZABETH RIVER AT THE GILMERTON BRIDGE (36.775082° -76.294999°) ON SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2012 FROM 5 A.M. TO 12 P.M. CONCERNED TRAFFIC SHOULD CONTACT GILMERTON BRIDGE TENDER ON VHF CHANNEL 13. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID TRANSITING THE AREA. (5th District Bridge Branch)*

*Italicized text above and below indicates our comment or paraphrase. Plain text is copied from the Notices to Mariners or other sources given.

Okeechobee Waterway Closures:From Notices to Navigation Interests, USACE Jacksonville:The Moore Haven Lock (26.833683°-81.088144°) is closed for the installation of a Manatee Protection System beginning June 11, 2012 for approximately 8 weeks, with opening anticipated August 6, 2012.The St. Lucie Lock (27.111128°-80.284610°) is closed from June 18, 2012 through June 30, 2012 for emergency repairs to the gate seals.

Opsail 2012:The next event will be in Boston June 30-July 5, for the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorations. Connecticut will host the final event from July 6-9 (http://www.opsail2012ct.org/) ;in New London/Groton. Check http://www.opsail2012.com/ for general information on Opsail 2012. There will be local regulations for each event. Some are given below where the Coast Guard has published information in the Local Notices to Mariners. For specific info on the Boston event, check the USCG Boston Homeport website: https://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/portDirectory.do?tabId=1&cotpId=17 and check under "News and Events"

Summer Celebrations:Be prepared for the usual waterway restrictions and bridge closures (for vessels) for Fourth of July Fireworks displays in many cities and historical locations all over the East Coast. There are too many for us to list. Most involve closing of usually opening bridges to accommodate traffic before, during and after fireworks displays. There will also be restricted areas where vessels will not be able to enter due to danger from fireworks. Check locally if you plan to be on the water for any of these displays. And be safe. We have included below only one notice because it involves a day-long restriction for the area around the National Mall.Also be aware of the numerous sailing races and regattas, powerboat races, pirate demonstrations, swim events, SUP, kayak and canoe races and other forms of summer recreational activity that might be scheduled in your local cruising areas. These events are usually publicized locally and the Coast Guard puts out Local Broadcast Notice to Mariners, usually announced on VHF Channel 16 with details given on VHF Channel 22A. Be aware and be SAFE. Many of these are listed at the end of each USCG Local Notice to Mariners (http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmMain), but they are too numerous to list here.

Lat/Long Positions in AlertsLat/Long positions derived from Google Earth will be given for significant places in the Alerts, such as bridge locations. These will be in italics, and in the following format: xx.xxxxxx°-xx.xxxxxx° for locations new with this alert. Where a Lat/Long position is copied from a USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) or from the Light Lists, it will be in whatever format the Coast Guard has used which varies between districts and LNM and Light List writers, and will be in plain text, rather than italics. Some positions are approximate. We do not provide this information for navigational purposes and it should not be used as such.*

USCG First District
Coastal Waters from Eastport, Maine to Shrewsbury, New Jersey

Underwater Turbine, Cobscook Bay, ME:An underwater turbine has been established in position 44-54-36n 67-02-45w. On scene is the Capt E. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting this area. Charts have been marked with the following: SEE NOTE: Vessels entering and departing Cobscook Bay, Maine should exercise caution in the area of an underwater turbine located in position 44°54'36"N 67°02'45"W. All vessels and persons are advised to avoid anchoring, diving, dredging, dumping, fishing, trawling, laying cable, or conducting salvage operations in this area. (First District LNM 25)

Inert Torpedo Exercises off NE Coast:Periodically from 19 to 26 June 2012, during daylight hours only, U.S. Navy submarines will be conducting underwater exercises approximately 85 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. These exercises will include the launching of inert exercise torpedoes within the area bounded by: Latitude 39° 50’ 00” N to 40° 22’ 30" N
Longitude 070° 15' 30" W to 071° 04' 30" WMariners are requested to remain clear of this area and cooperate with patrolling U.S. Navy (and Navy-contracted) vessels and aircraft. A surface command ship will be stationed in the area while operations are in progress and will monitor VHF-FM channel 16. For further information contact Mr. Ryan Dropek at Naval Undersea Warfare Command, 1-808-684-8653, or 401-832-5041, ryan.dropek@navy.mil . (First District LNM 24)

Unmanned Submersible Ops, Massachusetts Bay:NOAA R/V Gloria Michelle (F-7201) will conduct underwater operations with unmanned submersible vehicles from June 17-24, 2012. Operations will be in Massachuetts Bay and Great South Channel in approximate positions 42°11'N 070°07.5'W, and 41°07'N, 069°18'W, and will occur during daylight hours, seven days per week. R/V Gloria Michelle is a 72 foot blue-hulled stern trawler and can be identified on AIS. Mariners are requested to use caution when transiting the operational area and to contact R/V Gloria Michelle on VHF-FM Channels 13 or 16. For additional information contact LT Anna-Liza Villard-Howe at 774-392-2746 or RV.Gloria.Michelle@noaa.gov . (First District LNM 24)

Marine Survey Activity for Cape Wind Energy Project, Nantucket Sound:Marine survey activities in support of the Cape Wind Energy Project are scheduled to begin during the last week of June (no sooner than June 27 and no later than July 14 – weather dependent), within the area on and around Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound (41.482643° -70.417353°) that has been identified as the proposed location for the Cape Wind Energy Project (see the graphic below). Survey will be conducted during daylight hours only, 7 days a week for approximately 3 weeks. The vessel will be monitoring VHF-FM channel 16. The activity will involve a single 36-foot long survey vessel running multiple survey transects with a towed array of geophysical instrumentation that will extend up to approximately 300 feet behind the vessel at varying depths throughout the water column. This activity is not expected to involve any bottom disturbance. The survey contractor is Fugro Atlantic of Norfolk, Virginia. The Cape Wind Energy Project point of contact for the geophysical survey operations is Mr. Jack Arruda, 617-904-3100, x113 or jarruda@emienergy.com.Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Fugro Atlantic vessel while conducting marine survey activities in Nantucket Sound, and otherwise use extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal. (First District LNM 24)

Americas Cup World Series Safety Zone:The US Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on waters of the East Passage (41.483136° -71.349048°) of Narragansett Bay during Americas Cup World Series sailing vessel racing events. The safety zone will be in effect between June 13 and July 1. 77 Fed. Reg. 28253 (May 14, 2012) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-14/pdf/2012-11557.pdf . (First District LNM 22)

Data Buoy off Block Island:Garden State Offshore Energy is planning to deploy a large meteorological data-gathering buoy about one half mile west of Block Island, in approximate position 41° 11.5’N, 71° 36.5’W. The buoy has a yellow hull with flashing yellow lights (FL Y 2s), and will rise approximately 40 feet above the surface of the water. It is scheduled to be deployed on June 14-15, 2012, and will remain at this location for about 60 days. Installation vessels, including a work barge and handling tug and crew vessel, are anticipated to be onsite for two days. Divers from Specialty Diving Services will also be assisting with the installation. Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting in the vicinity of the buoy location during installation operations and throughout its period of deployment. The point of contact for questions about the buoy deployment is Ms. Aileen Kenney, who may be reached at 401-648-0607. (First District LNM 24)

CT Opsail 2012 Security Zones:The US Coast Guard promulgated a rule establishing temporary safety and security zones on the Thames River near New London (41.282135° -72.122086°) for OPSAIL 2012 Connecticut activities. The rule is in effect from July 3 through July 9. 77 Fed. Reg. 32898 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-06-04/pdf/2012-13503.pdf (June 4, 2012). (First District LNM 23)The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations on the navigable waters of Niantic Bay, Long Island Sound, the Thames River and New London Harbor, New London, Connecticut for OPSAIL 2012 Connecticut (CT) activities. This rule will be effective from 6 a.m. on July 6, 2012 to 5 p.m. on July 7, 2012. 77 Fed. Reg. 33967 < http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-06-08/pdf/2012-13890.pdf > (June 8, 2012). (First District LNM 24)

Oyster Nursery, Brooklyn Navy Yard:Installation is scheduled for a small-scale oyster nursery in the Wallabout Basin in the Brooklyn Navy Yard at approximately 40°42’14”, 73°58’5” until approximately 31 October 2012. The site is in the inland-most part of the Wallabout Channel, 0.35 miles inland from the seaward face of the Navy Yard’s northernmost pier. The nursery will comprise a floating longline and a series of oyster trays hanging from the longline in the water column. The two ends of the longline will be located at approximately 40°42’17.12”, 73°58’09.66” and 40°42’13.42”, 73°58’03.52”. The longline will be 600 feet long, suspended in the water column 2 ft. below the surface, and marked on either end by small plastic buoys. Approximately 200 oyster cages, each 2x7 ft., will hang from the longline. Each cage will be marked by a 2-ft. plastic float. (First District LNM 24)

USCG Fifth District
Coastal Waters from Shrewsbury River, New Jersey to Little River, South Carolina

NJICW Bridge Restricted Concert and Fireworks:Mariners are advised beginning at 9 a.m., on Saturday, June 23, 2012 and ending at 2 a.m. on Monday June 25, 2012, the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge (39.353453° -74.456924°), at ICW mile 70.0, across Inside Thorofare in Atlantic City, NJ will operate on a restricted schedule. To facilitate the free movement of vehicles over the bridge during the Metallica Band two-day series of concerts and fireworks display, the drawbridge will only open on signal at 12 noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., and need not open between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and between 10:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. The drawbridge will not open on signal, except as provided in this paragraph. (5th District Bridge Branch)

NJICW Shoaling:Shoaling to a depth of less than 1.0 feet MLW has been reported at mid-channel between NJICW Light 127 (LLNR 35520) (39-30-18.117N, 074-20-32.111W) and NJICW Daybeacon 130A (LLNR 35537). (5th District LNM 25)

Inspections and Repairs at Commodore Barry Bridge, Delaware River:Mariners are advised that an engineering firm, on behalf of the Delaware River Port Authority, will be performing inspections at the Commodore Barry Bridge (39.824922° -75.371642°), at mile 81.4, across the Delaware River, between Bridgeport NJ and Chester, PA, each day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, beginning June 25, 2012 to July 20, 2012. To facilitate the inspection, a work platform will be rigged over channel at various locations on the main span and yellow streamers will be installed on the bottom of the platform to alert mariners. Mariners are advised that structural repairs are in progress through June 30, 2012 at the Commodore Barry Bridge, at mile 81.4, across the Delaware River, between Bridgeport NJ and Chester PA. To facilitate repairs, a snooper truck with under bridge equipment will be operating from the roadway and positioned over the channel at various locations, reducing the available clearance by approximately 20 feet. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area. Chart: 12312. (5th District LNM 25)

C&D Canal Anchorage Basin Regulated Area:Mariners are advised that as described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 100.556, a regulated area is established upon all waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal within the anchorage basin at Chesapeake City, Maryland, bounded by a line drawn across the entrance to the basin from position latitude 39°31'39.6" N, longitude 075°48'36.5" W, to position latitude 39°31'40.6" N, longitude 075°48'43.3" W. This area will be enforced from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2012. All vessels and persons are prohibited from entering and accessing this regulated navigation area, except as authorized by the District Commander or his or her designated representative. Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage within the regulated navigation area must request authorization from the District Commander or his or her designated representative, by telephone at (410) 576-2693 or by marine band radio on VHF–FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2012. All Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated navigation area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF–FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The operator of any vessel entering or located within this regulated navigation area shall: (1) Travel at no-wake speed, (2) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by any commissioned, warrant or petty officer on board a vessel displaying a Coast Guard Ensign, and (3) Proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or petty officer on board a vessel displaying a Coast Guard Ensign. All vessels and persons within this regulated navigation area must comply with any additional instructions of the District Commander or the designated representative. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the regulated navigation area by any Federal, State, and local agencies. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Command Center at or (410) 576-2693. (5th District LNM 21)

Northeast River Shoaling: Shoaling to a depth of 2.7 ft MLW has been reported in the vicinity of Northeast River Light 17 (LLNR 27895) (39-35-26.021N, 075-57-01.720W). (5th District LNM 25)

Annapolis Harbor Construction:Marine construction operations are scheduled to occur at the Chart House Restaurant (38.973252° -76.482447°) on the Annapolis waterfront until 05 July, 2012. A crane barge and materials barge will be anchored at position 38-58-27.6N, 076-28-55.3W. The tug JEZEBEL may be contacted on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. (5th District LNM 23)

DC July 4th Celebration Restrictions:The annual July 4th Celebration on the National Mall (38.887874° -77.036430°) in Washington, D.C. will occur on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. As described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 165.508, a security zone is established upon the waters of the Georgetown Channel, Potomac River, within 75 yards from the eastern shore measured perpendicularly to the shore, between the Long Railroad Bridge (the most eastern bridge of the 5-span, Fourteenth Street Bridge Complex) to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge and all waters in between, totally including the waters of the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin. This security zone will be enforced from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 4, 2012, and is necessary to control vessel traffic for the security and safety of life and property on navigable waters during the event. The effect will be to restrict vessel traffic on certain portions of the Potomac River. Entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Baltimore, Maryland. Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the security zone must first request authorization from the COTP Baltimore to seek permission to transit the area. The COTP Baltimore can be contacted at telephone number (410) 576-2693. The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this security zone can be contacted on marine band radio Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the COTP Baltimore and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the zone. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies. Address any comments or questions to the Sector Command Center, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, at telephone (410) 576-2693. (5th District LNM 23)

Reminder: Reduced Vertical Clearance Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel North Bridge:Chesapeake Bay – US13/North Channel (fixed) Bridges (37.090041° -75.987539°) of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel - Maintenance work (cleaning, painting and steel repairs) and the available vertical clearances for the underside of the entire bridges will be temporarily reduced by three feet (with the main channel spans reduced from 75 feet to 72 feet above MHW) through 1900 on 15 OCT 2012. (5th District LNM 25)

Southern Branch AICW Explosive Safety Zone:Contractors will be performing metal anomaly recovery operations at St. Juliens Creek Annex, Chesapeake, VA, from barges operating between St. Juliens Creek (36.779863° -76.312099°) and the proximity of Blows Creek along the west shoreline of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. Operations have the potential for mechanized unintentional contact with munitions. An Explosive Safety Exclusion Zone of 43 feet is established around the recovery operations when they are in progress. Mariners should exercise caution when transiting the area. Request vessels avoid passing within 43 feet of the barge operations. Request no vessel anchor, fish or conduct waterborne activities between the navigable channel and the shoreline of the St. Juliens Creek Annex facility between July 23, 2012 and August 27, 2012 (except for vessels directly involved in the metal anomaly recovery operations). VHF-FM Channel 63A will be monitored for communications between the subcontractor vessels. VHF-FM Channel 16 will be used for emergency communications with the Coast Guard. The contractor plans to operate 10 hours per day, between 7 AM and 5PM, but the daily schedule may vary based on weather. A no-wake zone is requested in the vicinity of the barge operations. (5th District LNM 23)

Shoaling in AICW, Stump Sound: Shoaling to a depth of 3.0 feet MLW has been reported in the vicinity of New River-Cape Fear River Light 39 (LLNR 39400) (34-28-42.257N, 077-29-05.807W). Mariners should navigate with caution. (5th District LNM 24)

Oregon Inlet, Bonner Bridge, Shoaling:Shoaling to a depth of 1.0 feet MLW has been reported between the navigational span of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge and Oregon Inlet Lighted Buoy 12 (LLNR 28025) (35-46-30.842N, 075-31-53.637W). Shoaling extends from approximately 50 yards east of the center span and extends approximately 30 yards south into the channel. (5th District LNM 24)

Martin County Artificial Reef:Martin County Engineering will begin on or about June 13, 2012 a series of artificial reef deployments to Martin County’s Donaldson permitted site:
Corner
NORTHWEST 27°13’00”N 080°07’25”W
NORTHEAST 27°13’38”N 080°05’43”W
SOUTHWEST 27°10’58”N 080°06’41”W
SOUTHEAST 27°11’36”N 080°04’58”WThis project will be conducted during daylight hours only utilizing (1) barge and (1) tug with an approximate completion date of August 21, 2012. Mariners are advised to use caution and to minimize their speed around the working vessels. For further information contact Kathy Fitzpatrick at 772-288-5795 ((7th District LNM 24)

Okeechobee Waterway Drought Restrictions:On June 20, 2012 at 2400 hours the lake level was reported at 11.77 feet and the navigational depths were reported at 5.71 feet for Route 1 (26°58'32.23"N, 80°38'22.92"W) and 3.91 feet for Route 2 (Rim Route) (26°47'0.61"N, 26°47'0.61"N). The USACE Jacksonville issued a Notice to Navigation Interests on March 27, 2012 stating that drought restrictions (lake level below 12.5 feet) are in effect for lockage at the St. Lucie and W. P. Franklin Locks, which will now open every two hours at 0700, 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700 and 1900 hours. When the lake level drops to between 11.5 and 10.5 feet, there will be only three lockages per day at 0700, 1300, and 1900 hours. Notices to Navigation Interests are available at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divisions/Operations/Branches/Navigation/NavNotices.htmYou can usually check the daily lake level and navigational depths at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divisions/Operations/Branches/MultiProject/WaterMgt/DOCS/Reports/r-nav.txt

Construction Hillsboro Inlet Area:Underwater Engineering Services Inc is performing work on the outfall pipe just south of Hillsboro Inlet (26.257898°-80.081109°), Florida. The barge MOBRO ABS (50 ft. X 150 ft) will be on site with a crane, stacks of articulated concrete mats and diving/operation equipment. The barge is scheduled to arrive on site Sunday June 24 (weather pending) and will be on site through the end of June, 2012. The barge will return around July 5 and remain on site through approximately July 21, 2012. The barge and operators can be contacted via Marine Channel 16. Project point of contact is Mr. Randal Bazemore – Fulltime Site Supervisor: 772-201-0545. (7th District LNM 25)

Port Everglades, Dania Cut-Off Canal Dredging Update:Lucas Marine Acquisition Company, LLC will be conducting dredging operations at Port Everglades (26.093200°-80.109032°) at Berths 31 & 32 approximately June 17, 2012 for approximately 2-3 weeks. Operations will be Monday through Saturday daylight hours only. Work will start at the north end of Berth 31 and continue south approximately 2000 linear feet to the end of Berth 32. The project will involve the dredge “JAY CASHMAN” and several hoppers scows. The dredges will be supported by the tug "Iron Nail" and the scows will be towed to the upland off loading site approximate 6000 linear feet east of the NW 5th Ave Bridge. All vessels will monitor VHF channels 16, 13, and 67. Project point of contact is Bruce Wood 781-630- 0611.After which, dredging operations will commence in Dania Cut-Off Canal (26.063941°-80.116356°) in Broward County, starting east of the NW 5th Ave Bridge and continuing east approximately 5000 feet. The anticipated completion date is approximately January 2013. The project will involve the dredge “JAY CASHMAN” and several hoppers scows. The dredges will be supported by the tug Iron Nail and the scows will be towed to the upland off loading site approximate 6000 linear feet east of the NW 5th Ave Bridge. All vessels will monitor VHF channels 16, 13, and 67. Operations will be Monday through Saturday daylight hours only. Project point of contact is Bruce Wood 781-630-0611. (7th District LNM 24)

Government Cut Tunnel Construction Continues:Nicholson will be continuing with drilling and grouting operations in Government Cut (25.781731°-80.178646°) on Monday, June 18, 2012 at 5:00pm with continuous operations through Friday, June 22, 2012 at 2:00am. Operations will resume on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 5:00pm with continuous operations through Friday, June 29, 2012 at 2:00am.This operation will consist of two drilling and grouting barges, one supply barge and one service barge. The operational set-up has changed; the operation will be set up and spudded down from Dodge Island and extending approximately 450 ft. into the channel. The open channel width will now be approximately 400 ft. Mariners are advised to use caution and transit at a slow speed when passing the construction site. (7th District LNM 24)

Florida Bridge Update: From the USCG 7th District LNM 25/2012:NOTE: Information new with this alert is in bold. There are many on-going projects lasting sometimes for years. You can “Search” a bridge name for previous East Coast Alerts that may contain information that is still current. Ortega River, Grand Ave Bridge: Superior Construction is repairing the Grand Ave (SR 211) (30.266660°-81.717582°), across Ortega River mile 0.3, Duval County, Florida. From June 18 through June 29, 2012, the Grand Avenue Bridge will be on a single-leaf opening schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. No double-leaf opening will be available between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., due to mechanical equipment replacement during this time period.Amelia River SR A1A Bridge (AICW Mile 721) Update: The Coast Guard Bridge Branch has approved a vertical clearance reduction of four foot reducing the vertical clearance to 61 feet for one half of the navigable channel at the SR A1A Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 721.0 (30.626304°-81.484527°), Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida, from April 9, 2012 through March 15, 2013.From June 4 through July 15, 2012, the painting containment system will be allowed to be placed across the SR A1A Bridge which will reduce the vertical clearance to 61 feet across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area. Gemstone, LLC will ensure that the proper lighting is displayed at the lowered portions of the scaffolding and will be changing the clearance gauges to reflect the vertical clearance reduction. (7th District LNM 13/2012)SR 312 Bridge (AICW Mile 780.0): Astor General Contracting has advised this office that they will start painting the East Bound SR 312 Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway mile 780.0, Lake City (29.862672° -81.309784°), Lake City (this bridge is just south of St. Augustine), St Johns County, Florida on March 26, 2012. From June 4 through July 15, 2012, this work will reduce the vertical clearance of the bridge by four feet to 61 feet. This work is expected to be completed by July 15, 2012. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area.Port of Miami Railroad Bridge Update: Due to extensive repairs to the Port of Miami Railroad Bridge (25.778902° -80.182536°) across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Miami-Dade County, Florida, the bridge contractor, PCL Constructors Inc are beginning repair operations on the Port of Miami's FEC railroad bridge. The bridge is allowed to be in the down position when the Security Zone is not enforced and the Miami Main Channel is open for normal traffic. On days when the bridge is in the down position there will be 15 minute openings at 11:45 am, 1:45 pm, and 3:45pm. Upcoming bridge closings are published below. Clearance gauges are also under repair and do not currently read properly. PCL will be monitoring Marine Channel 9. PCL POC - Adlai Jourdin (561) 253-6995. Additional closure dates in June are: June 26-28th. If for any reason the Miami Main Channel Security Zone is in force during these dates, the bridge will not be allowed to remain closed. This work is expected to be completed in January 2013.Hernando DeSoto Bridge: URS Corporation has advised the Coast Guard that CMA Corporation and Worth Contracting will be reducing the vertical clearance of the US 301 (Hernando-Desoto) Bridge (27.503233° -82.563164°), across the Manatee River, Bradenton, Sarasota County, Florida from May 22 through August 16, 2012. The Coast Guard has approved the vertical clearance reduction by five feet during the cleaning and painting operations. Mariners requiring more than 35 feet of vertical clearance to pass under this bridge should contact Mr. Armando Cardona at 786-586-0548 for passing information.Pinellas Bayway GIWW Bridge Construction Update: The Pinellas Bayway “Structure E” (Terra Verde) Bridge (27.693641°-82.717942°) across Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida is being repaired. This project started on May 14, 2012 is expected to be completed by April 1, 2013. Due to the nature of these repairs M&J Construction will have floating equipment in the area and has assured the Coast Guard that this equipment can be moved outside the channel limits upon request. Any delays should be reported directly to the Coast Guard at 305-415-6744 and a follow up email should be sent to Michael.b.lieberum@uscg.mil with a copy to Jessica.r.hopkins@uscg.mil. The contractor has requested that this bridge be placed on single-leaf operations from 7:00 a.m. on September 24, 2012 through 5:00 p.m. on October 11, 2012 and from 7:00 a.m. October 15, 2012 through 5:00 pm. October 31, 2012. During this time no double-leaf operations will be available due to machinery removal and replacement. Any objections to these single-leaf operation dates should be sent to Michael.b.lieberum@uscg.mil no later than August 1, 2012. Mariners are cautioned that a scaffolding system will be placed on this bridge outside the navigable channel limits which will reduce the vertical clearance on the approaches. Mariners are requested to transit through the main navigable channel during these repairs.

This information is not to be used for navigation. Consult the latest charts and Local Notices to Mariners and use prudent seamanship. Conditions may change. Any person or entity that uses this information in any way, as a condition of that use, agrees to waive and does waive and also hold authors harmless from any and all claims which may arise from or be related to this use.